New York is presented with an unprecedented opportunity to achieve universal child care. Our campaign’s plan for statewide universal child care is guided by the CCATF’s Roadmap for Universal Child Care, but goes further than its high-level set of goals—setting forth a concrete rollout plan outlined in our new report.
State and local leaders should seize this moment and adopt this bold plan to make New York a place where families can thrive.
Published November, 2025
STATEWIDE COALITION CALLS ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO ENACT NEW YORK STATE CHILD CARE FOR ALL – 12/10
The Empire State Campaign for Child Care , joined by over 140 organizations around the state, sent a letter today to Governor Kathy Hochul, calling on the governor to enact their statewide proposal for universal child care, New York State Child Care For All. The letter and its signatories can be found here.
News Coverage
Politico – FREE CHILD CARE PUSH: City and state lawmakers, demonstrated at City Hall this afternoon to lay out a roadmap for achieving free child care statewide.
The Empire State Campaign for Child Care — a coalition of parents, educators and advocates — released a new report today that calls for $1.2 billion for a child care worker compensation fund and about $2 billion to clear waitlists for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program.
“With at least 26 counties around the state having closed enrollment for child care assistance, which is leaving more than 10,000 families just in New York City alone scrambling right now to cover the high cost of child care, we cannot delay,” said Dede Hill of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. “2026 is the year, let’s get this done.”
Capitol Pressroom 12/11 – Possible first steps on road to universal child care
Policymakers of all stripes in New York are talking about increasing access to child care, but there isn’t a consensus on how to get there. We explore some possible next steps to take in 2026 with Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children’s Agenda.
Business Insider 11/27 – How much New York City parents could save with universal childcare
Across the five boroughs, affordable childcare is a hard bargain to find.
Working parents are excited about the prospect of universal childcare, championed by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Childcare can cost as much as $26,000 a year for an infant in a care center.
Spectrum News 11/24 – Amid Mamdani push, key advocates unveil plan for N.Y. universal child care phase-in
With the victory of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, whether or not New York will take meaningful steps toward universal child care in this upcoming state budget has become a key question in the ramp up to the 2026 legislative session.
Advocates with the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, who have long lobbied the state to set out on a realistic path to a universal system seized on the energy and attention, unveiled on Monday a proposal for initiating next steps that they hope Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers can get on board with.
CBS6 Albany 11/24 – Is universal child care possible in NYS?
A statewide child care coalition is releasing a detailed roadmap for how New York could achieve universal child care — making it free and accessible for every family with children up to age 12.
The Empire State Campaign for Child Care (ESCCC) says the state is in a unique moment to overhaul a system strained by high costs, long waitlists, and workforce shortages.
WBNG News 12 11/24 – Empire State Campaign for Child Care advocates for childcare access
Video – The Empire State Campaign for Child Care is advocating for New York State to expand both access to and the quality of child care.